While you might be tempted to hire a friend who has a real
estate license or your co-worker’s sister, remember that the person you enjoy
meeting for drinks isn’t always the best REALTOR® to represent your interests.
That friend could turn out to be the right agent for you, but before you choose
him or her, take the time to get recommendations for several agents and
interview them.

You’ll be paying a significant commission to this person
(often 6% of the sales price of your home), spending time with them, and
relying on their advice to sell your home for the best possible price and as
quickly as possible given market conditions.

What to Look for in an Agent

Many sellers are tempted to choose the REALTOR® who
suggests the highest list price for their property and who gives their home the
most compliments, but you’re better served by a realistic REALTOR®.

You need to find a REALTOR® with whom you can
communicate easily, someone who knows your neighborhood well and has a good
marketing plan to reach buyers who are not only interested in your home but are
also qualified to buy it. Most REALTORS® have experience looking at homes
and can offer advice about the condition of your home and ways to improve its
appeal without overspending

When you talk to neighbors and friends about their
recommendations for a REALTOR®, ask them how easy it was to reach the
agent when they had questions, and how much support and advice the agent gave
them throughout the sales process.

Questions to Ask During the Interview

A REALTOR® typically has a listing presentation she
provides for sellers—often in the sellers’ home so that she can get a look at
the property and its condition. Some of your questions may be answered during
the presentation, but if not, you may want to ask the following:

Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors?
REALTORS® must abide by the NAR’s code of ethics. In addition, each
state’s real estate license requires continuing education for agents.

How many sales did you complete last year?

In what price range do you sell most of your homes?

What was the average difference between sales price and list
price? While this depends on your local market conditions, a REALTOR® who
often sells homes well below list price may not be advising sellers to price
their homes correctly or may be inadequately marketing homes.

What is your marketing plan for my home? How many websites
will include information about my home? Where will you look for buyers?

Do you have advice for me about the condition of my home? Do
you have expertise as a home stager or do you recommend that I hire a
professional stager?

Can you recommend contractors and moving companies?

How often should I expect to hear from you when my home is
on the market?

Will you provide me with regular feedback and updates about
potential buyers?

Pricing Advice

The most important conversation you will have with your Lexington
agent is about the price of your home. The REALTOR® you choose should
present you with a comprehensive market analysis that compares similar homes
that are on the market, have sold recently and have been taken off the market.

You are paying for your REALTOR®’s knowledge and expertise,
so listen carefully to the advice you receive and choose your agent
thoughtfully.

*Look for the Bowman Adventure Run table outside on the blacktop near the
flagpole. (If inclement weather look for us under the shade structure behind
the school @ playground).

The start and finish
will be in front of the Bowman Elementary School, 9 Phillips Rd,
Lexington MA.

Race will be Chip timed by North Shore Timing Company using
the MyLaps Bib Tag System

It’s a road race. It’s a trail run. It’s a super way to spend an autumn Saturday with your friends, family and Bowman Community. There’s something for everyone. Lace ’em up for the Kids Fun Run. Enjoy the 5K through the Bowman neighborhood and its Big Backyard, followed by post-race festivities. Come join the Adventure and help Bowman celebrate its 50th year!

5th Annual Bowman Adventure 5K Run

Saturday, October 29th @ 2pm

Kids Fun Run @ 1:30 pm

Post Race Party to Follow

About the Course
This unique 5K will take off from Bowman, lead you through the rolling hills of the neighborhood and onto Bacon Street, a gravel road leading to Dunback Meadow. The last mile covers boardwalks and trails that are part of the extensive conservation land in Lexington. You will then cross the Bowman fields and the finish line on Worthen Road East. Click hereto view the 5K and Kids Fun Run courses.

Please note: this adventure is for all ages but if you are under the age of 11, please participate with an adult.

Kids Fun Run
This year, the KFR will take place before the 5K so all you parents can cheer on your kids and run the 5K. The 3/4-mile course leaves from the front entrance of Bowman down Worthen Road East to Philip Road and back to Bowman. It’s complete with a water stop and finisher awards. Register the morning of the event to sign a waiver. This year the KFR will be free. Donations for Bowman will be accepted at the table.

Register for the 5K adventure today!
Register online at Bowman Adventure Run REGISTRATION before Oct 27th or the day of the race. Registration prior to October 16th will be $20 and after will be $25. Race packets will be available for pickup at Bowman School on Friday, October 28th (day prior to race) from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm. Look for the Adventure Run table outside near rolling car pickup / at flagpole for your packet with bib number and shirt for the first 150 registrants!

Interested in becoming a SPONSOR of the 5th Annual Bowman Adventure Run? Please contact us at bowmanrun@bowmanpta.org.

* About Lexington Conservation Land
Lexington has more than 1,400 acres of conservation land, over 10% of the town, an impressive figure for a community so close to Boston. Conservation land provides the space to experience fresh air, green leaves, and the pleasure of a stroll through the woods right here in our own community. Conservation land also protects many beneficial functions that nature performs for us, such the flood control, water quality improvement, and air purification. And because all of Lexington was once farmland, forest, or wetland, conservation land helps to preserve the historic character of our town. When exploring Lexington’s conservation land, consider the hard work that many citizens and friends have contributed toward protecting and caring for these important properties. Conservation land is protected by the Conservation Commission and cared for by the Lexington Conservation Stewards, a group of citizen volunteers. Learn more atwww.lexingtonma.gov/conservation/stewards.cfm.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Where: Lexington Community Farm 52 Lowell Street in Lexington, MA next to the Arlington Reservoir.

We will be holding a celebration of the fall harvest on the farm with food samples, live music, tours, kids’ activities and fun for the whole family! Free parking at the Arlington Reservoir, next door.

Meet our farmers, Tim and Elena, take a tour of the farm, enjoy live musical entertainment from two bands, the Harmonators and the Sorry Honeys, learn about volunteer opportunities, watch vegetable races and visit the kids’ activity and education tables, nibble on tastes of the harvest and enjoy great shopping in the farm stand of produce as well as other products. In addition, the private farm behind us, Silk Fields Farm, will be open for goat, chicken, rabbit and now alpaca viewing.

The farm is about 7.5 acres with a small farm stand, a glass greenhouse and a hoophouse. The Town of Lexington owns the property and is leasing it to Lexington Community Farm Coalition (LexFarm) to operate it as a community farm. It is on the site of the former Busa Farm, operated by the Busa family for many years.

For more about the Lexington Community Farm or for information about other events please visit: http://lexfarm.org/

Friday, October 7, 2016

If you are ready to buy a Lexington home, congratulations!
This fall season is a wonderful time to do so in the Lexington real estate market. Mortgage rates are still near historic lows, but experts predict they
will begin increasing sooner than later. Home equity has returned for the
majority of homeowners. Rent prices continue to soar. Now is a great time to
buy!

As your Lexington real estate agent, I recommend that the
first step you take in the home-buying process is qualifying for a mortgage
loan. Pre-qualified buyers are taken more seriously by sellers, because the seller knows you can afford their home, and because the home sale will go through faster.

Also,
pre-qualified buyers know exactly what they can afford, so it’s also a perk for
you. You don’t want to fall in love with a Lexington home that is out of your
price range!

While many Lexington homebuyers stress about the mortgage
process, numerous studies show that the qualifications are not as strict as
most buyers think. There are many down payment options, so if you don’t have 20
percent to put down, you’ve got other options! You’ve also got options if your
credit score is lower than you’d like it to be.

Still, there are certain steps you can take when going into
the mortgage application process that will make you a better candidate. Here
are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

Do check your credit reports and credit score. The higher
your score, the better! Check your credit reports early, even if you’re not
quite ready to buy, because if you find errors on them, it takes time to
get them resolved. However, resolving these issues might raise your score to
where it belongs.

Don’t take on new credit/debt. This is true before you apply
for a mortgage, and it remains true until after you officially close on your new Lexington home! That means that no time during your home-buying process should
you buy a new car, plan a vacation, buy expensive furniture and so on.

Don’t make large deposits. Once you are in the mortgage
process, don’t add large deposits of money that can’t be traced, such as a
family loan or gift. Mortgage lenders will have to track where the money is
coming from and it can create issues that delay the process.

Do stay in your job. Changing jobs during the mortgage
process, or right before applying for a mortgage, is not a smart idea. Even
changing positions within the same company can shake things up. Ask your
employer if you can start after the closing date. You must have job stability
in order to buy a home.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

You’ve finally found it: a Lexington home you’re swooning
over and dying to own. From the exposed ceiling beams to the hardwood floors,
this feels like the place. So what’s next? Don’t just stand
there dumbstruck; it’s time to dig deeper and ask questions—and not just the
kind that randomly pop into your head, either. You need to hit all of the
necessary topics head-on, and some of them are not so obvious.

But you’re in luck: We’ve pulled together
a checklist of some of the most important initial questions
to ask when buying a home:

1. What is the home’s sales history?

When was the last time the house sold, and how much did
the current owners pay for it? This is essential intel, and you don’t even
have to ask the seller or your real estate agent about it,
because it’s posted on every MLS listing. All you have to do is scroll
down to find it. But make sure you know it.

When buying a home, the previous sale price will give you a
sense of what the sellers might expect you to pay—but keep in
mind that a home’s true market value is based more on what comparable
homes are selling for now rather than what it went for in the past,
says Los Angeles Realtor® Jennifer Niman of Berkshire Hathaway
Home Services. Sales history will also show you whether the home’s price
has been trending up or down over time, which can help you hone your
negotiating stance.

2. Did the sellers make any major renovations or
additions?

If they’ve overhauled the kitchen, added a bedroom, or
finished the basement, you’ll want to know that—and, ideally, see receipts
from contractors to get a sense of what they paid for these upgrades.

In general, this will give you a ballpark notion of how
much money they’ve sunk into the home—and what they hope to get
out. That said, don’t assume you have to fork over as much cash as they put in;
home improvements generally reap only a 64% return on average. And that return
on investment varies widely based on which renovation is done.

3. How much are the property taxes?

Property tax history is also typically available right
on the listing detail page. If you can’t find it, ask the seller. You’ll want
to find out what previous owners paid, but understand that the property
tax, since it’s based on a percentage of the value of the house, will
probably be affected by your purchase price. This could be a huge
additional expense, and you’ll need to budget for that when putting
together your offer.

4. What are the monthly maintenance and utility costs?

Is there any type of homeowners association fee? Find out.
Also learn what kind of power the house uses, be it gas, oil,
electric, or a combination, and ask what the average monthly bill for each is.
Also inquire about water, waste removal, and any other utility costs that are
applicable.

5. Has there ever been a broken pipe? Sewer backup?

This may sound trivial (not to mention unpleasant), but
according to the Insurance
Information Institute, broken pipes account for an estimated 22% of all
home insurance losses. If the homeowner doesn’t ‘fess up, a good home
inspector can probably find evidence of either one of these situations, so
you might want to put these on your list of questions to ask your inspector,
too.

6. How old is the roof?

The 2015 Remodeling Impact Report from the National
Association of Realtors® says the national median cost of an asphalt roofing
replacement is about $7,600. It would be good to know how soon you might need
to lay out that substantial amount of cash.

7. Have there ever been any pest infestations?

If there was an infestation, when were pest control
procedures undertaken? No, this won’t necessarily mean the house is pest-free
at the time you’re buying it, but it’s a good starting point to know the
history. Many buyers require that termite treatment be included in the price;
it’s easiest to tent for pest removal when the house is empty, between owners.

8. Are there warranties on the appliances, HVAC system, garage
door, etc.?

And if so, can the homeowner provide the documentation? Ask
for it. This can establish how old these features are, and give you an idea of
when they might need to be replaced and how expensive it could be. It will also
help you decide whether or not to buy a home warranty.

9. What are the parking restrictions around the house?

Will guests need parking permits? How many permits are you,
as the homeowner, allowed, and can you obtain more if you decide to throw a
party? Also, check out the parking situation on the property itself. Will
your car(s) fit in the garage? Is there room to park anywhere else on the
property other than the driveway?

10. Does the house have any kind of unusual history?

In many states, owners are legally bound to disclose if
a death or major crime has occurred recently on the premises, but there are
other circumstances you should be aware of as well. For example: Did anyone
famous ever live there? Was it ever used in a film, TV series, or commercial?
If so, you might have to deal with fans ringing your doorbell or driving by at
all hours of the day or night.

Oh, and if the house has a history of being haunted or
paranormally “stigmatized,” you might have a little extra negotiating power
when buying a home. Thanks, ghosts.

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As a real estate agent in the Lexington, MA area, I have the privilege of living and working in this amazing area. Each week, you can count on me for market updates, local events and what's happening in the area!

Please contact me if you have any questions about buying, selling or the Lexington, MA area. I am here to help!

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Many of the Greater Boston suburbs represent some of Massachusetts' most desirable living environments, blending remnants of picturesque farmland and sprawling open spaces with truly elegant estates and charming neighborhoods.
Regardless of where you settle in Boston’s attractive suburbs, you can look forward to an exceptional quality of life in one of the nation’s most dynamic metropolitan centers.